Turpin H.S.: "News of the accident has hit our community hard"

Turpin High School head cheerleading coach Megan Toothman

Jaymie Polet and her mother Jill Polet

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, OH (FOX19) -

Turpin High School officials say the school is shocked and saddened after two of their former students, and a dedicated parent, were among those injured in the tragic Indiana State Fair stage collapse this weekend.

Turpin High School head cheerleading coach Megan Toothman, 2011 graduate Jaymie Polet and her mother Jill Polet were injured. Jaymie's younger sister, Jordan, was also at the concert but was not injured.

"News of the accident has hit our community hard," said Turpin High School Principal Peggy Johnson. A prayer vigil held Sunday night was well-attended. It was coordinated by cheerleaders, parents, swimmers and others. "The prayer vigil gave our community an opportunity to come together to show our support for Meagan, Jaymie and Jill, to offer one another strength, and to try to make sense out of this tragic accident," said Mrs. Johnson.

"We are so lucky to be a part of this community and Meagan is feeling your love and support," said Meagan's mom, Mercer second grade teacher Melissa Oakley. "We have set up a care page where we will update her progress as information becomes available to us. The doctors and nurses have been great and keep us in the loop at all times. To our family and friends, we just ask that you continue offering your thoughts and prayers and we encourage you to visit our care page at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/meagantoothman1."

"This is going to be one of the biggest journeys of our lives," Mrs. Oakley said. "She has so many important things to do in her life and is going to be a gift to the field of school psychology. I know she is fighting as hard as she can."

Meagan was a 2005 Turpin graduate. She received her bachelor's degree from Wittenburg University and is working on her master's degree in counseling. Two years ago Meagan was named the Turpin cheerleading coach.

Jaymie was an outstanding swimmer during her years here at Turpin and is planning to attend Indiana University this fall. She was also on the cheerleading squad where she formed a strong bond with Meagan. Jaymie's family was also very involved with the school.

"Meagan and Jaymie are both those kind of spirited, passionate, greatly involved kids," Mrs. Johnson said. "We're pulling for them."